Andrea Jones

Clean up ... Mia Asker in a bathroom where tiles have been painted white.

Is your bathroom trapped in a time warp? "Your bathroom shouldn't be some dingy space - it should feel as nice to go into as your bedroom or living room," says interior decorating consultant Mia Asker, of White Design.

No matter what era it's stuck in, there are some inexpensive pick-me-ups for your bathroom.

"Pick a colour that is in the bathroom already and go for accessories in the darkest shade of it - so in an art-deco green bathroom opt for dark green or black towels, or in a tired white bathroom, choose chocolate brown or a deep charcoal grey," Asker says.

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Matching accessories such as towels, bath mat and shower curtain will help lift the space.

If the paint on the walls is ghastly, Asker says, "even if you're renting, if this is somewhere you'll be for a few years, then it's worth repainting the bathroom yourself with a long-wearing enamel paint".

White Knight Tile Paint

You'll need to get approval from the owners. Asker recommends specifying as much detail as possible in writing, such as paint colour names and which surfaces will be painted, so there's no risk to your bond.

Your tiles are ugly

Disguise them with White Knight tile paint (from $42.95 a litre at hardware stores) and that unsightly avocado green will disappear. The paint should last for several years.

Asker also suggests that a bathroom can be transformed simply by re-grouting: "It is a time-consuming job but it's worth it, especially in a bathroom that's got grotty grouting but doesn't need a re-do.

Take a very fine chisel to remove the old grout and give it an easy once-over with fresh grout."

Still too hard? At least, she says, "scrub all the tiles with sugar soap and get rid of all the soap and grime so the tiles really shine - it will make a huge difference."

The bath is a horror

Have a professional re-enamel it. "It's not that cheap but it's certainly better than trying to apply it yourself and getting drip marks," Asker says.

Your shower stall looks like a gilded cage

You can make it less of an eyesore in one of two ways: use metal paint and change the colour of the gold trim or play it up.

"Get yourself a funky gilded mirror and make the gold reflect somewhere else and make it a bit of fun," Asker says. This also applies to any bathroom with gilt fixtures.

The accessories are ugly

Changing hooks and cupboard handles can make a huge difference.

You can also layer what's there with your own inexpensive matching pieces. "Accessorise the basin and bath with matching toothbrush holders, soap dishes and dispensers," suggests Chris Cadzow, bathroom range leader at Ikea.

The key is to keep to one style - whether clear perspex or retro chrome - to get a sense of harmony.

There's no storage

You'll find a vast range of inexpensive options at places such as Ikea and Howard's Storage World, from freestanding cupboards to suction-attached perspex shelves you can take with you when you leave.

It clashes with your taste

Asker says a common mistake is to try to force a dated bathroom into your particular decorating style. "Accept what's there. You need to set aside your taste and work with what you have.

"Look in magazines to get ideas on how to add colour. Also, specialist bathroom renovation centres usually have a range of accessories from hooks to sinkware that support styles from most eras."

And for the finishing touch

"Place a vase or some bottles on the window sill or bench top," Cadzow says. Flowers or a lush indoor plant can make any bathroom feel more appealing.

"And if you have a bathtub put loads of candles around it. Add an oil burner. Even perfumed soaps can help make it a fragrant, really zen space," Asker says.